Green Fantasy Sponges?

I was in my local craft store for some trimming for my daughter's Halloween costume and stumbled upon a cart of green sponge remnants that were waiting to be priced for clearance. Upon inspection of them I realized that the sponge material wasa tad bit denser & finer than the sponge that came with my first Snaz mini-kit. These sponges are roughly the same green as the fantasy sponges but since I've never seen one upclose and personal I can't say for certain.

Being the person I am, I grabbed a discounted sheet of the sponge and ran with it (of course, I stopped to pay for it). I'm wondering if this is the same type of sponge that the fantasy sponges are made of? I know that its high density upholstery foam...2" thick (but they have it up to 1/2" thick).

How can I know for certain? Also, what's the best way to cut the sheet up into usable wedges? I've cut sponges with scissors, but it always looks a bit wonky on the edges. The ladies at the craft store use a tool that looks like an electric carving knive, but even that doesn't yield super smooth edges. I'd like to cut it into half circles and wedges but I don't want to butcher the poor thing.

Is there anyone here who'd be willing to let me send them a chuck to compare with their fantasy sponge? Anyone care to share how to successfully make my sponge sheet into baby sponges??

Thanks!

Doesn't matter if it is EXACTLY the same or not.. IT WILL WORK!!

As for cutting... If you have large shears for cutting fabric they will work pretty well. I always just cut with scissors. Variations in edges doesn't really cause any problems with applying bases... really. For large pieces the easiest way to cut it down to manageble size is with an electric knife.

Cut into large chunks, then work down to the size you want to work with. I find when cutting large pieces of foam that is already the right thickness, that cutting into strips about the width I want to end up with is easiest, then, cut across the strip into wedges or squares.

Some people freeze the foam before cutting - they say it is easier that way. I've never tried it.

And be sure to wash the sponges once you have them cut up!

I wonder if this is the same green foam I made cushions from a few years back? hmmm..you can buy a big huge roll of it.. $50 would probably buy you a lifetime supply! LOL

You can send a chunk to me and I will tell you. I love Fantasy sponges as these sponges as they are the softest on the market and I don't hesitate to really pound the paint into someone's skin with these.

For the best advice on cutting could you post a pic of what you are starting with? Are you looking to get the shape of most sponges on the market used for face painting or will any do.

Thanks!

Is there anywhere we can buy these fantasy sponges?

Metina,
Can you IM me your address and I'll send you a chunk. I haven't come up with any preference for shape as of yet, well, actually, I cut a few wedges as per Shannon's directions just to see how easy it would be. I can't tell if they are soft because all sponges feel rough on my hyper sensitive skin... I suppose I could try them on my daughter...but she's still refusing to be painted anymore this week... and my practice head... well, she hasn't spoken to me since the Wolfe black incident.

Kristal S. wrote:Is there anywhere we can buy these fantasy sponges?

Fantasy Worldwide sponges... Metina is it okay to say where that can be bought on here?

I love my fantasy sponges and they are "better" as far as I am concerned.... my 2nd favorite are the Wolfe sponges --- but as Shannon has said they are equivalent to the arts store sponges (EXPENSIVE) or tack sponges. Their circular edges are curved which allow you to do a little more technique wise while sponging.

I just got my fantasy sponges and will be experimenting soon....right away I noticed a huge difference....even when cutting them....very soft, dense....squishy....the edges rolled down a bit when I squeezed to cut them.....mine do not have the circular edges.....but so far, just fun to feel them...LOL!

Absolutely ok. I have no problem is someone says where can I get this or where did you get that and you tell them. It is when someone just advertises themselves or their product totally unsolicited without asking for permission or sponsorship.

This board's purpose is to be a resourse. If someone asks for something, I will say, I carry it if I do or refer them if I don't. But it is only fair that others list where they got it as well if they choose to.

I have just had things like someone listing a jam and then list three other people selling face paint that were neither asked for, part of the forum or anything. This is unsolicited.

Thanks for asking Shannon. Post away.

I'm so glad I found this board!

Must try these sponges!!!! Well eventually that is. I just bought 3 different big sponges from the feed store yesterday. (They didn't have any of the smaller round ones just great big ones). 2 were for horse saddles and 1 is for cars.

April,

I put a sample of the speed sponge in your package so you can try it as well! Let us know if the rounded edge helps you with things like muzzles and spiderman's eyes.

-Metina

ohh goody! THANK YOU! I was just telling my partner I gotta start practicing spiderman as it's a popular one! (and introduce spidey to my 5yo son! lol.)

Not a problem. I am trying to put free samples on all the packages I send. I think it makes them EXTRA special!

Thanks Metina.... The green Fantasy Worldwide sponges are available from Jodi Carr at http://www.profacepaint.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=2_18&osCsid=1542c8e18b19258b2ecf8ee863da8022 She is currently the only FWW retailer in North America (I've heard others will be retailing soon...)

Competition is good!

The basic dense green cushion foam found on the market is a just a tad bit rougher than FWW sponges. I think overall a very gentle on the face sponge is critical to face painting.

Shannon Fennell wrote:Thanks Metina.... The green Fantasy Worldwide sponges are available from Jodi Carr at http://www.profacepaint.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=2_18&osCsid=1542c8e18b19258b2ecf8ee863da8022 She is currently the only FWW retailer in North America (I've heard others will be retailing soon...)

I love these sponges, and I just went to their site to get a bag of 10 for $8.50 (reasonable). But I couldn't stomach paying $6.00 in shipping costs.

Does anyone else carry them...with more reasonable shipping rates?

Mike

I got green ones at the Vienna jam for a buck apeice from Carol. I dont know if they are fantasy but noticed they crumble abit on the edges.

I got a package of three creamy white ones from michaels for under two bucks and they work great.

I also got some dense car wash sponges from the dollar store and cut em up so they work just fine, too.

Online shipping charges are a bitch, Silly Farm charges even more, which is why I get most of my supplies from Metina, who offers free shipping.
Susan

smitty225 wrote:
I love these sponges, and I just went to their site to get a bag of 10 for $8.50 (reasonable). But I couldn't stomach paying $6.00 in shipping costs.

Does anyone else carry them...with more reasonable shipping rates?

Mike

Mike,
Carol always has them at her jam. I'll bring some to Michelles next jam as I always have extra's. I love the sponges, they are awesome.

Jenny

I took another look at the sponges on Jodi's web site. They don't look much like the ones I like....which are a kind of blue/green color with rounded edges. The pic's of the sponges on Jodi's site are small kinda dense plasticky looking things. I'm starting to wonder if they are the same ones I like so much. I don't even remember where I got them....shame.

Bring them to Michelles Jam, we'll do sponge comparisons.
I want to see them anyway.

Jenny

I want to find a good way to cut circles... like a super-sharp cookie or biscuit cutter... mash down, cut, and presto! Foam circles without funky edges. Maybe that would work. Use a cookie cutter to compress the foam, then an exacto knife, or something else super sharp, to cut. Hmmmm. Must run to the lab!

I felt the same way Jennifer, but realized that circle shapes are just to keep yer fingers away from the paint. Sometimes I cut up the dollar store sponges more angular shaped cause I cant get the rounded shape either. They work fine keepin' my fingers clean with a nice sharp edge for paint and two short edges to get paint in small spaces.

I watched '3 faces in 6 minutes' on youtube, then each of her three how-to videos and in one, she shows how to scrunch & cut a sponge with a nice clean edge. Works great!
Susan

Yeah, I scrunch and cut when I cut my tack sponges in two. My husband once bought me some car wash sponges to try, but they were HUGE. Super wide and super thick. I had a tough time cutting through it. And I didn't do too good of a job at it. Still haven't used them.

I often use the rounded end when sponging. Maybe that's why my fingers are covered in paint all the time